Delhi excise policy case: ED arrests Chariot Media owner Rajesh Joshi

Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Rajesh Joshi, the owner of Chariot Production Media Pvt Ltd, in connection with its ongoing investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case, a report said.

Rajesh Joshi was arrested in the national capital after being questioned and evidence pointing to his involvement in the case was presented against him. He will most likely appear before a special court in the afternoon.

This is the ED’s second arrest in the case in the last two days. Previously, on Tuesday, the federal agency arrested Gautam Malhotra, the son of former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Deep Malhotra.

Gautam Malhotra, the Director of the OASIS group, a liquor manufacturing and distribution firm, was arrested on money laundering charges on Tuesday. Following his questioning in the case, the ED sleuths arrested the businessman. In the Delhi Excise policy case, he is accused of cartelization.

The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a chartered accountant from Hyderabad on Tuesday, who is believed to be the auditor for BRS MLC K Kavitha.

The case also names Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, then Excise Commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, Deputy Commissioner Anand Tiwari, and Assistant Commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar as defendants.

Other defendants in the case include Manoj Rai, a former Pernod Ricard employee; Amandeep Dhal, director of Brindco Sales; and authorised signatories of Mahadev Liquors Sunny Marwah, Arun Ramchandra Pillai, and Arjun Pandey.

Last year, the agency filed its first chargesheet in the (Delhi) excise policy money laundering case before a court in the national capital, naming liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru as one of the accused.
The agency stated that it has conducted nearly 200 search operations in this case since filing a FIR and taking cognizance of a CBI case on the recommendation of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.